Russia will be taking part in their tenth World Cup, including participations as Soviet Union. Their last appearance was in 2002, when they were eliminated in the group round. The Russians failed to get beyond the opening stage during their last three World Cup outings, in 1990, 1994 and 2002. Their best tournament was in 1966 when Soviet Union finished fourth, having lost to Germany in the semi-finals and Portugal in the match for third place.

At the 1970 edition, substitutions were allowed for the first time and the use of yellow and red cards was introduced. The then Soviet Union were the first team to receive a yellow card, when Kakhi Asatiani was cautioned against Mexico, as well as the first to make a substitution, when Anatoli Puzach replaced Viktor Serebryanikov at half-time in the same match.

The record for the most goals scored in a single World Cup finals match belongs to Russia’s Oleg Salenko, who fired in five during the 6-1 win over Cameroon in 1994.

Manager: Fabio Capello

A young Capello began his career in the youth set up at SPAL and signed for the first team in 1964, despite interest from AC Milan. He stayed there for three years, making 47 appearances before moving on to Roma.

He won his first major trophy with Roma, the Coppa Italia, before moving Juventus in 1970.

The midfielder had a rocky start to his time at the Italian giants after he publicly criticised his manager, Armando Picchi. On the same day it came out that Picchi had been diagnosed with cancer and Capello was fined by the club.

Capello went on to win three league titles with Juventus before the club became concerned about his knees, an injury that had always affected his career.

In 1976 he was traded to Milan and after struggling through three seasons he called it a day in 1980.

He played 32 times for the Italian national team.

Capello has managed the likes of Milan, Real Madrid, Roma, Juventus and England. He took over as Russia boss in 2012 after resigning from the England job.

Russia manager Fabio Capello

Captain: Sergei Ignashevich

The 34-year-old began his professional career at Spartak Orekhovo in 1998, he only made 17 appearances before moving on to Krylia Sovetov.

He only spent a season here too, but made substantially more appearances, 31 to be exact, before his first big move.

In 2001, Lokomotiv Moscow came in for the defender who can cover most positions along the back four.

He won the Russian Premier League and the Russian Cup in his first season with Moscow and went on to win the Russian Super Cup in his second.

Moscow rivals CSKA then made a bid for Ignashevich and he's been there ever since 2004. He's made of 270 appearances for the club and won the UEFA Cup, four Russian Premier Leagues, six Russian Cups and five Russian Super Cups.

Key player: Alan Dzagoev

The attacking midfielder has 33 caps for his country and has bagged eight goals for Russia.

The 23-year-old has been at CSKA Moscow since 2008 and has made just over 200 appearances for the Russian giants.

He's picked up 47 goals in his time in the Russian capital and is a bit of a handful for defenders.

Alan Dzagoev

Qualifying Campaign

Together with the Netherlands, Russia were one of only two teams that won all of their home qualifiers on the trail to Brazil 2014, having notched five victories on native soil.

Russia are the only European side that qualified directly despite losing two games in their group, which they won by one point ahead of Portugal. The Russians’ two defeats came in Portugal and Northern Ireland, both by the scoreline of 1-0.

Two of Russia’s matches were postponed due to adverse weather conditions. The fixture against Northern Ireland in Belfast, which was originally scheduled for 22 March, was initially put back one day due to heavy snowfall before being called off and rescheduled to 14 August. The home tie against Luxembourg was delayed by an hour due to rain.

Fabio Capello has brought endurance and defensive stability to the Russian team, but doubts over captain Roman Shirokov’s form and fitness are a worry ahead of Brazil. The Guardian

Russia's football coach Fabio Capello has banned his squad members from using Twitter during the upcoming World Cup tournament in Brazil, but will allow them to send text messages, a news report said. The Moscow Times